WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.460 Do sit down and turn to Luke chapter 17. Luke chapter 17. And there's different ways of dividing up Luke 17, but I want to deal with the whole of the chapter from 11 to verse 37. 00:00:25.240 --> 00:00:27.500 ! So has the kingdom of God come? 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:30.760 Has the kingdom of God come? 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:33.159 It's multiple choices this morning. 00:00:33.500 --> 00:00:34.799 A. Yes. 00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:37.539 B. No. 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:40.019 C. Other. 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:41.640 What would you go for? 00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:46.420 I'm tempted to show a show of hands, but has the kingdom of God come? 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:49.980 Now it's a question that comes, doesn't it, in different ways. 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:54.420 So it comes in the guise of your non-Christian friends. 00:00:54.420 --> 00:00:58.760 They'll say to you, well where is God? Where was God on dot dot dot? 00:00:59.800 --> 00:01:03.640 Has God made any difference to the problems in the world? 00:01:03.719 --> 00:01:09.680 You look at the mess of suffering, at the mess of sin, at the mess of our culture as it turns its back on God. 00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:13.099 And people ask you, well has God done anything about that? 00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:15.140 Has the kingdom of God come? 00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:15.780 What do you say? 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:18.159 A. Yes. 00:01:18.820 --> 00:01:19.819 B. No. 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:21.839 C. Other. 00:01:24.519 --> 00:01:26.519 We'll go to the Ealing Liberal Synagogues. 00:01:26.559 --> 00:01:28.179 Just down the road we go to the Jewish rabbi. 00:01:28.919 --> 00:01:30.559 And they're speaking in the Old Testament. 00:01:31.899 --> 00:01:34.319 And they know about the promises of God's kingdom, the Jews. 00:01:35.019 --> 00:01:38.479 They know about the day, the day of the Lord promised in the book of Daniel. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:40.739 The day when the Son of Man will appear. 00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:42.539 A day when there will be judgment. 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:47.060 A day when he would give glory and power that will never pass away. 00:01:48.120 --> 00:01:49.380 And you could debate with them. 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:51.400 Has the kingdom of God come? 00:01:51.520 --> 00:01:53.300 Has the day of the Lord come? 00:01:54.200 --> 00:01:55.860 Has God sent his Messiah? 00:01:57.140 --> 00:01:59.800 Has God ushered in the new age? 00:02:00.300 --> 00:02:02.460 Has God fixed the problems of the world? 00:02:03.020 --> 00:02:05.000 And the answer is A. Yes. 00:02:05.240 --> 00:02:06.500 B. No. 00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:07.880 C. Other. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:10.699 Well I'm going to argue it's C. Other. 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:11.780 This morning. 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:16.299 Because Jesus has something to say very interestingly about the kingdom of God. 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:17.960 And he says neither yes nor no. 00:02:19.579 --> 00:02:21.539 Well in fact he says yes and no. 00:02:22.519 --> 00:02:25.000 But not in a politician's kind of way. 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:29.180 In a very clear and precise way. 00:02:29.519 --> 00:02:30.699 That maybe you wouldn't expect. 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:34.240 So Jesus says firstly verses 11 to 21 if you look down. 00:02:34.519 --> 00:02:35.759 The kingdom of God is here. 00:02:35.759 --> 00:02:38.319 The kingdom of God is here. 00:02:38.679 --> 00:02:39.379 Trust the king. 00:02:40.139 --> 00:02:41.219 The kingdom of God is here. 00:02:41.299 --> 00:02:41.939 Trust the king. 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:44.159 On the way to Jerusalem. 00:02:44.340 --> 00:02:45.639 Jesus was passing along. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:47.819 Between Samaria and Galilee. 00:02:47.959 --> 00:02:49.039 And as he entered the village. 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:50.819 He was met by ten leopards. 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:52.340 Who stood at a distance. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:53.599 And they lifted up their voices. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:56.699 Saying Jesus have mercy upon us. 00:02:57.799 --> 00:03:00.079 And Jesus encounters these people in great need. 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:02.759 And they called to him from a great distance. 00:03:02.759 --> 00:03:06.479 Because leprosy forbade them from approaching someone. 00:03:06.959 --> 00:03:09.539 Lest you transmit infection to them. 00:03:10.139 --> 00:03:13.519 So the best they can do is they can stand outside the doctor's surgery. 00:03:14.179 --> 00:03:15.699 And they can call through the window. 00:03:16.560 --> 00:03:18.359 Have mercy on us. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:21.399 And Jesus when he saw them said. 00:03:21.500 --> 00:03:22.939 Go show yourselves to the priest. 00:03:23.019 --> 00:03:24.379 They went and they were cleansed. 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:26.159 Is the kingdom of God here? 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:26.299 Yes. 00:03:26.300 --> 00:03:31.400 Well look at what Jesus says to the Pharisees in verse 21. 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:36.080 On being asked about the kingdom. 00:03:36.320 --> 00:03:37.240 By the Pharisees. 00:03:37.300 --> 00:03:37.960 Verse 21. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:42.300 He says this. 00:03:43.820 --> 00:03:46.020 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come. 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:49.140 He answers the kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed. 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:51.460 Nor will they say look here it is. 00:03:51.460 --> 00:03:54.880 Or therefore behold the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:57.379 Has the kingdom of God come? 00:03:57.460 --> 00:03:58.199 The kingdom is here. 00:03:58.560 --> 00:03:59.199 Trust the king. 00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:02.379 The Pharisees in this whole section of Luke. 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:03.240 We've seen it haven't we? 00:04:03.659 --> 00:04:05.680 They persistently get it wrong. 00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:10.879 The Pharisees persistently fail to understand what the law and the prophets prophesied. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:16.920 They were constantly persistently failing to understand Jesus was right. 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:19.560 They're saying when the kingdom of God would come. 00:04:20.280 --> 00:04:24.040 In the kind of way that the modern rabbi would ask in the synagogue. 00:04:24.900 --> 00:04:25.780 They're missing the point. 00:04:26.080 --> 00:04:29.420 Because they fail to see that the king of the kingdom is in their midst. 00:04:30.580 --> 00:04:33.100 They fail to recognise Jesus for who he is. 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:38.660 And they ought to know who he is on the basis of the evidence that is all around them. 00:04:38.900 --> 00:04:42.700 For example on the basis of ten leopards who were cleansed. 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:45.920 Just going back a few pages to Luke chapter 7. 00:04:46.019 --> 00:04:47.319 Can you remember Luke chapter 7? 00:04:48.719 --> 00:04:50.159 And verses 17 to 18. 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:51.120 It's on page 864. 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:55.199 And the disciples of John the Baptist come. 00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:57.279 In Luke chapter 7. 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:01.139 This report verse 17. 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:04.659 This report about him spread through the whole country of Judea and the surrounding country. 00:05:04.659 --> 00:05:07.599 Then the disciples of John reported all these things to him. 00:05:08.980 --> 00:05:09.980 And then they come. 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:14.660 He sends them to the Lord and he says are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another? 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:16.819 Or to rephrase the kingdom. 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:18.439 Or rephrase the question. 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:20.300 Has the kingdom of God come? 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:21.620 That's John the Baptist's question. 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:23.540 And he says this. 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:26.180 When the men had come. 00:05:26.439 --> 00:05:29.819 They said John the Baptist had sent us to say are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another? 00:05:30.220 --> 00:05:34.000 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits. 00:05:34.520 --> 00:05:36.319 And on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:38.879 And then he said to them go and tell John what you've seen and heard. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:40.139 The blind receive their sight. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:40.899 The lame walk. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:41.800 The lepers are cleansed. 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:42.500 The deaf hear. 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:43.600 The dead are raised. 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:45.579 The poor of good news preached to them. 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:50.100 John asks a similar question. 00:05:50.259 --> 00:05:52.939 Are you the one who is to come? 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:53.659 Are you the Messiah? 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:55.939 Has the kingdom of God come? 00:05:56.219 --> 00:05:58.819 And Jesus says when he sends back the messengers to John. 00:05:58.899 --> 00:05:59.659 Look at the evidence. 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:01.399 Look at the evidence. 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:03.719 The lepers are cleansed. 00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:09.180 Where else in history can you find leprosy being cleansed with just a touch? 00:06:09.900 --> 00:06:10.800 Or with a word? 00:06:11.820 --> 00:06:13.960 Where can you find the blind being healed? 00:06:14.140 --> 00:06:15.820 Where can you find the lame walking? 00:06:16.320 --> 00:06:17.420 And the evidence is this. 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:19.200 That the kingdom must be here. 00:06:20.580 --> 00:06:22.160 So here we are again in Luke 17. 00:06:22.380 --> 00:06:23.420 Here is the evidence. 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:25.660 On the road between Samaria and Galilee. 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:28.340 Tiny lepers healed with a word from a distance. 00:06:29.080 --> 00:06:29.920 And they go to the priest. 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:31.720 And the Pharisees come asking. 00:06:32.080 --> 00:06:33.400 Has the kingdom of God come? 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:35.580 And Jesus rebukes them. 00:06:37.780 --> 00:06:41.540 He says you shouldn't be asking that question in the face of such evidence. 00:06:43.140 --> 00:06:47.120 Surely open your eyes and you can see that the kingdom of God is here. 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:50.379 The kingdom of God verse 21 is in the midst of you. 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:54.759 But the Pharisees problem isn't that they don't know about the evidence. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:07:00.399 But their problem is that they failed to respond to the evidence rightly to what they saw. 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:03.740 And it's a very clever little episode. 00:07:04.599 --> 00:07:05.980 This one with the lepers. 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:10.420 Because it shows you Jesus' amazing kingdom power. 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:18.780 But at the same time it shows you the amazing failure of the Jews of the day to respond rightly to him. 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:22.100 Ten lepers all cleansed. 00:07:22.840 --> 00:07:24.439 The kingdom of God is among you. 00:07:24.520 --> 00:07:25.400 But look at their reaction. 00:07:25.520 --> 00:07:26.700 Look at verse 15. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:32.319 Then one of them when he saw that he was healed. 00:07:32.460 --> 00:07:35.740 Turned back to God with a loud voice. 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:38.759 And he fell on his face at Jesus' feet giving him thanks. 00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:41.560 What is the scandal? 00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:46.120 The scandal is that one man out of the ten got it right. 00:07:47.340 --> 00:07:49.080 But there's even a greater scandal isn't it? 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:50.379 Who is this one man? 00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:52.199 He was a Samaritan. 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:57.020 Now if you know anything about the background of Luke's gospel. 00:07:57.980 --> 00:08:00.700 If you know anything about the background of first century Judaism. 00:08:01.280 --> 00:08:04.460 If you know anything at all of the story of the good Samaritan. 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:07.100 You will know that they were the despised outsiders. 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:11.760 That is the whole point of Jesus' parable earlier on in Luke isn't it? 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.320 The good Samaritan. 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:18.160 What a shock it would be that the Samaritan is the one that gets it right. 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:21.220 Which tells us. 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:22.260 Not only tells us. 00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:25.379 Not only tells you that Samaritans is not as bad as you thought. 00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:28.920 But more than that it shows up God's people of the day. 00:08:30.640 --> 00:08:33.100 It shows God's people of the day were much worse than they thought. 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:35.700 The Samaritans. 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:36.600 The outsider. 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:38.460 The foreigner gets it right. 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:40.500 But nine of God's people. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:41.700 Nine of them get it wrong. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.659 They see the healing. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:47.040 But they do not respond to the king. 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:49.540 And you can hear it can you. 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:52.440 In these excruciating questions that Jesus asks. 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:53.480 Look at verse 17. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:55.159 I hate these kind of questions. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:59.080 Where are the nine? 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:01.040 Jesus asks. 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:03.179 Jesus asks again. 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:08.360 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner? 00:09:10.319 --> 00:09:12.099 Were there not ten cleansed? 00:09:16.219 --> 00:09:17.639 That is the right response. 00:09:18.599 --> 00:09:20.939 To revelation and the evidence that the king has come. 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:21.919 Now one made it. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.599 And so to go around saying. 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:27.959 Is God going to do anything about the mess of this world? 00:09:28.079 --> 00:09:29.059 About the problems of this world? 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:30.179 Does God care? 00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:33.339 Has the Messiah showed up? 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:38.059 To ask those kind of questions actually is insolent. 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:40.799 And thankless. 00:09:41.939 --> 00:09:42.939 And thankless. 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:49.179 And it completely fails to do the right thing in the face of the evidence. 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:52.639 Every time you hear that question. 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:53.859 Is God going to do anything? 00:09:54.219 --> 00:09:55.439 Has God done anything? 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:59.559 In a world which God has already entered 2000 years ago. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:02.159 With the most extraordinary evidence behind him. 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:06.559 It is not for want of evidence that people don't believe. 00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:10.479 It is for want of failing to respond properly to it. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:12.159 They don't want to believe. 00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:16.200 Ten cleansed but only one turns around and gives thanks. 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:17.139 And he is an outsider. 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:21.580 And the Pharisees have the audacity to ask God. 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:24.379 To ask Jesus whether God will show up in this world. 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:28.100 God has already made himself known. 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:29.740 The kingdom of God is here. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:30.799 Trust the king. 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:31.700 That's the message. 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:34.919 Your faith has made you well. 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:38.159 The faith that brings you to Jesus. 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:39.360 That connects you to Jesus. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.139 To fall on his face. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:43.039 It's the idea of worship isn't it? 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:46.679 To fall on your face before someone. 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:47.779 We don't do that today. 00:10:47.839 --> 00:10:49.259 We only bow to the queen. 00:10:49.339 --> 00:10:50.639 Or we curtsy to the queen. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:51.899 But in those days. 00:10:51.959 --> 00:10:54.399 If you wanted to recognise somebody as deity. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:56.519 You would fall on your face. 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:59.819 That is the way you would respond to a king. 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:01.679 And that is what this man does. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:03.799 The kingdom has come. 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:04.779 Trust the king. 00:11:06.339 --> 00:11:08.120 But then Jesus said to his disciples. 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:09.740 Verses 22-37. 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:13.000 The kingdom is coming again. 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:15.000 The kingdom is coming. 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.620 The king is coming again. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.339 Be ready. 00:11:19.319 --> 00:11:20.659 The king is coming again. 00:11:20.719 --> 00:11:21.039 Be ready. 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:22.339 The kingdom of God is here. 00:11:22.459 --> 00:11:23.139 Trust the king. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:25.419 But the king is coming again. 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:25.980 Be ready. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:28.439 And once again. 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:29.819 Repeatedly through this passage. 00:11:30.179 --> 00:11:30.579 This section. 00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:32.219 We have a message to the disciples. 00:11:32.459 --> 00:11:32.899 As long as. 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:35.480 Alongside a message to the Pharisees. 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.899 The Pharisees have got it wrong. 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:40.240 And there. 00:11:40.439 --> 00:11:41.879 We are shown what not to do. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:44.539 But the disciples are being told you. 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:45.480 How to get it right. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:47.860 And we see the two alongside one another. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:50.179 Don't be like the Pharisees. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.100 But do be like. 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:55.620 Listen carefully to the lesson for the disciples. 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:57.659 Is this the king? 00:11:57.659 --> 00:11:59.980 Is this the king? 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:01.559 Of course. 00:12:01.719 --> 00:12:02.679 The king is coming again. 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:03.399 So be ready. 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:05.799 But in this section. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:06.519 There's two things. 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.079 And again. 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:09.019 It is a brilliant passage. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:11.459 Because two contradictory thoughts. 00:12:12.819 --> 00:12:13.939 Which are not contradictory. 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:15.500 So here we go. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:17.340 The king. 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:18.620 Is coming. 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:20.399 Slower than you think. 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:22.840 And that might catch you out. 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:23.500 Okay. 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:26.539 But he's also coming. 00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:28.120 Quicker than you think. 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:30.039 And that might catch you out too. 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:30.480 Alright. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:31.539 Both those things. 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:33.259 So the king is coming again. 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:34.559 In verses 22 to 25. 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.720 The days are coming. 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:38.940 When you will desire to see one of the days of the son of man. 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:40.120 And you will see it. 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:41.559 And you will not see it. 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:42.500 And they will say to you. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:42.659 Look. 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:43.620 There or look here. 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:45.360 Do not go out or follow them. 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:47.120 For as the lightning flashes. 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:48.080 And lights up the sky. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:48.980 From one side to the other. 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:50.519 So will the son of man be in his day. 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:53.460 But first. 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:54.500 He must suffer many things. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:55.879 And be rejected by this generation. 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:57.860 The kingdom of God. 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:59.120 Is slower than you think. 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:02.440 Jesus seems to be worried. 00:13:02.560 --> 00:13:04.419 That within the generation of the disciples. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:05.620 They might be misled. 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.620 There might be claims. 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:08.659 That the son of man has already returned. 00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:09.720 The son of man is here. 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:10.840 Or he's there. 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:11.899 Don't be fooled. 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:12.600 Says Jesus. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.639 In other words. 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.860 Just as bad as thinking. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.740 That the kingdom of God. 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:19.299 Hasn't come at all. 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:23.580 Is thinking that the kingdom of God. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:24.360 Is here. 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:25.720 In its full extent. 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:28.440 Jesus is back. 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.159 And that there's nothing. 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.560 More to look forward to. 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.320 Jesus says. 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:32.740 Don't be misled by that. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.179 There's various claims. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:35.460 Isn't there. 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.879 Over the last 2,000 years. 00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:39.100 It's probably there in the New Testament days. 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:39.840 Certainly in Ephesus. 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:41.740 That Paul writes to Timothy in Ephesus. 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:43.320 About those who say. 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.180 That the resurrection. 00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:45.360 Has already happened. 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:48.580 That this is already the final day. 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:50.500 And they destroy people's faith. 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:53.540 And we could point to lots of other episodes. 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:54.379 Where people have claimed. 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.540 The son of man is here. 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:57.899 Something of the Mormons. 00:13:58.180 --> 00:13:59.320 The Mormons in America. 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:01.420 They wrote down their message. 00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:02.460 On gold tablets. 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:04.160 That was only readable. 00:14:04.160 --> 00:14:05.440 With x-ray goggles. 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:05.520 Because. 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:08.100 Now I don't think many of us. 00:14:08.300 --> 00:14:09.500 Are going to be fooled by that. 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:09.760 Are we? 00:14:10.880 --> 00:14:11.660 But the idea. 00:14:11.800 --> 00:14:13.860 That this is all there is. 00:14:15.180 --> 00:14:16.800 That this is the fullness. 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:17.600 Of the kingdom. 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:19.240 And there's nothing left. 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:20.200 To look forward to. 00:14:20.260 --> 00:14:21.260 So live from now. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:21.920 Jesus says. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:22.540 Don't be fooled. 00:14:24.020 --> 00:14:25.200 You will not miss it. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:25.680 When it comes. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.820 As the lightning flashes. 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:28.000 And lights up the sky. 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:29.180 From one side to the other. 00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:30.220 So will the son of man. 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:30.980 Be in that day. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.580 The return of the king. 00:14:33.640 --> 00:14:34.740 Will not happen in secret. 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:36.399 It will not be. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.340 That you didn't notice it. 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.740 Because you were on the scene. 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:40.180 Everyone will know. 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.060 It will happen. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.159 And it will happen. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.039 Slower than you think. 00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:46.019 It's one of the issues. 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.680 That troubled the New Testament church. 00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:49.539 That you're expecting. 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.379 When they seem to me. 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.200 Jesus to come back. 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.820 In their lifetime. 00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:54.759 And he didn't. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:57.000 As he said. 00:14:57.060 --> 00:14:58.340 He wouldn't look at verse 22. 00:14:58.799 --> 00:14:59.560 The days are coming. 00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:00.440 When you will desire. 00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:01.580 To see one of the days. 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:02.480 Of the son of man. 00:15:02.680 --> 00:15:04.000 And you will not see it. 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.100 But of course. 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:07.279 That has caught some people out. 00:15:07.299 --> 00:15:07.620 Doesn't it? 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:09.379 He is slower than we think. 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.919 And so maybe it will never happen. 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.320 Maybe we think. 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:16.460 That his first coming. 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.240 The leper healing. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.680 That's going to be the only one. 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:22.279 And the world is just going to carry on. 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:22.560 And on. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:22.860 And on. 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:23.180 And on. 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:23.480 And on. 00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:24.419 Just as it is now. 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:25.360 For the rest of the time. 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.799 And Jesus says. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.620 It will be slow. 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.840 There will be a delay. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:31.279 Even a 2000 year delay. 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:33.799 Which is longer than many thought it would be. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.620 But he says. 00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:37.159 The day is going to come quicker than you think. 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.579 And that will catch people out too. 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:42.019 So Jesus gives two illustrations. 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.860 From the book of Genesis. 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:45.220 Both with the same punchline. 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:46.860 Look at verse 26. 00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:50.299 Just as it was in the days of Noah. 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:52.039 So will it be in the days of the son of man. 00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:54.639 They were eating and drinking and marrying. 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.639 And being given in marriage. 00:15:55.699 --> 00:15:57.179 Until the day when Noah entered the ark. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.579 And the flood came and destroyed them all. 00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:00.700 Likewise just as it was in the days of Lot. 00:16:01.520 --> 00:16:02.360 They were eating and drinking. 00:16:02.520 --> 00:16:03.080 Buying and selling. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:03.840 Planting and building. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:06.320 But on the day when Lot went out from Sodom. 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.080 Fire and sulfur rained down from heaven. 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.900 And destroyed them all. 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:09.960 So will it be. 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:12.280 On the day when the son of man is revealed. 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:14.620 It's a brilliantly crafted little section. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.780 It begins and it ends. 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:18.060 With the revealing of the son of man. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:18.940 They have the bookmarks. 00:16:19.300 --> 00:16:21.480 And in between there are the two examples. 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:24.300 Both with exactly the same punchline. 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:25.540 It destroyed them all. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.660 It destroyed them all. 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:29.600 And the reason they were all destroyed. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.279 Was it became. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.079 It happened quicker than they thought. 00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:32.500 Didn't it? 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:33.959 Unexpectedly. 00:16:34.199 --> 00:16:35.620 People were carrying on. 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:38.579 Like things will go on forever. 00:16:38.719 --> 00:16:40.559 Like they are the rest of time. 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.679 And it is always done. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.519 It will always be. 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:46.620 And destruction came and destroyed them all. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.659 And the point is made with those verbs. 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:50.600 Eating and drinking. 00:16:50.819 --> 00:16:52.120 Marrying and giving in marriage. 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:54.519 And the flood came and destroyed them all. 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.379 Eating and drinking. 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:57.199 Buying and selling. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.039 Planting and building. 00:16:58.199 --> 00:16:59.220 And fire and sulphur. 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:01.019 Came and destroyed them all. 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:02.159 The king is coming again. 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.379 Be ready. 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.379 Slower than you think. 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.740 And that catches people out. 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.720 But quicker than you think. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.660 And that will catch people out too. 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:16.340 And I think the whole point of those words. 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.779 Marrying and giving in marriage. 00:17:19.040 --> 00:17:19.920 Drinking and eating. 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.340 Planting and building. 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:25.259 They are just a description of as many verbs. 00:17:25.540 --> 00:17:27.220 As Luke can find. 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:29.580 To pile up what is normal life. 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:32.679 So you can think of other ones. 00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:33.419 To do it today. 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.099 Other verbs. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:38.039 Ferrying the children to school. 00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:41.099 Putting your clothes in the wash. 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:44.039 Watching the football. 00:17:45.199 --> 00:17:46.279 Planning your retirement. 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.199 Doing your hair. 00:17:49.419 --> 00:17:50.799 Just think of anything you like. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:53.279 They are just normal life words. 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.199 That is what they were doing. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.399 They were taking the children to school. 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:56.900 They were watching the tally. 00:17:57.060 --> 00:17:57.759 Until Noah. 00:17:58.060 --> 00:17:58.880 Entered the ark. 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.140 And the water destroyed them all. 00:18:00.320 --> 00:18:01.780 They were deciding what to wear. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.560 They were ironing their clothes. 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.920 They were reading their books. 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:07.019 Until the day when fire and sulphur. 00:18:07.080 --> 00:18:07.900 Rained down from heaven. 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.740 And destroyed them all. 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.920 Quicker than they thought. 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:12.880 And so it caught them out. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:16.160 And so what have you got to do. 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:18.840 In the light of the future coming of the king. 00:18:19.080 --> 00:18:20.320 You've got to be ready now. 00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:23.780 Because there's no time. 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:25.019 It's left for preparations later. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.000 So look at verse 31. 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:30.440 On that day. 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:32.079 Let the one who is on the house stop. 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:33.220 With his goods in the house. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.180 Not come down to take them away. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:35.779 And likewise. 00:18:35.900 --> 00:18:36.940 Let the one who is in the field. 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.779 Not turn back. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.519 In other words. 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:40.240 You'll not be able to do anything on the day itself. 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.379 Because it'll be too late. 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:44.000 It's too late to get into your house. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.799 To get your possessions. 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.720 Too late to get in from the field. 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.500 When you're out at work. 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.119 Too late. 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.680 You've got to be ready in advance. 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.740 Remember Lot's wife. 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:56.639 She tried to turn back. 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:58.059 She looked back. 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:59.200 I don't know if you know the story. 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:03.960 It's on the day that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire from heaven. 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.940 And Lot's wife looked back. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.660 And she was turned into a pillar of salt. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:09.839 It's one of the most unusual miracles in the Bible. 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:12.139 It captures your imagination. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:12.740 Doesn't it? 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:14.920 The point is very clear. 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:17.460 Don't turn back. 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:20.279 When judgment is coming. 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.559 It's too late to go back. 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:23.220 Too late to sort it out then. 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:23.839 Too late. 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.599 When the waters begin to fall. 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:27.420 It's too late to start building an ark. 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:31.319 When the fire started falling from the sky. 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:33.339 It was too late to have escaped the city. 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:36.079 When the son of Getman comes back. 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:38.359 It will be too late to respond in faith then. 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:40.579 The king is coming. 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:41.579 Be ready. 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.679 Jesus goes on doesn't he? 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:46.479 This judgment will divide everyone. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.500 Look at verse 34. 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:49.819 On that night there will be two in one bed. 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:51.500 One will be taken and the other left. 00:19:53.699 --> 00:19:58.359 Some have taken this verse to be evidence for what is known as the rapture. 00:19:58.359 --> 00:20:05.000 There will be an airplane pilot and another man driving a plane. 00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:06.159 And they will be driving along the plane. 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:09.359 And suddenly the airplane pilot will be sucked out of the air. 00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:10.039 Because he's a Christian. 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.939 Into the rapture. 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.879 Or something like that. 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.740 There's a whole series of books. 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.039 Aren't there? 00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:17.899 Novels. 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:21.559 Called the Left Behind CDs. 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.319 And films. 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.119 I know some of you like them. 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:26.359 They are terrible theology. 00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:26.839 Alright? 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.139 Let me say that to you. 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:30.199 You might think they're great literature. 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:32.639 Which I wouldn't agree. 00:20:32.979 --> 00:20:35.099 But they're terrible theology. 00:20:35.179 --> 00:20:37.139 I think it's very misunderstood to say that. 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:39.740 Jesus isn't necessarily saying here. 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.539 Two of them will be grinding together. 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:43.019 One will turn around to the other one. 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:44.319 And the other one will be in the sky. 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:45.219 That isn't what it's saying. 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.759 It's talking about two destinations. 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:47.539 Alright? 00:20:49.679 --> 00:20:51.079 Two lying in the same bed. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.579 The two will be called to different places. 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.339 There will be division. 00:20:55.679 --> 00:20:57.019 Amongst every group of people. 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.159 Amongst the people in this church. 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:01.279 And it will be too late. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:01.940 Too late. 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:04.559 The disciples said. 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.960 Today in verse 37. 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.059 Where Lord? 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.859 And he said to them where the corpse is. 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:12.220 There the vultures will gather. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:15.139 On the day of disruption and judgment. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.119 The kingdom of God. 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.799 Is here. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.559 Trust the king. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.460 The kingdom of God is coming. 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:20.980 Be ready. 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.599 And I want to say to you. 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:25.099 I think there's very good reasons. 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.980 Why Luke has put these both here together. 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.819 In one chapter. 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:34.000 Because if you just have the be ready he is coming lesson. 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.740 You might say. 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.619 Well where's the evidence? 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:41.219 How do I know that this crazy prediction you're making about the future. 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.480 Why should I believe you? 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:46.920 Why should I believe that God is going to do anything in this world? 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:49.640 Why should I believe his kingdom is ever going to come at all? 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:52.120 And the answer is this. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.660 Because the kingdom has already come. 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.799 It has come. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.880 And it is coming. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.579 The king has shown up. 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:02.079 The king has already revealed his identity. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:04.160 The king has already proved who he is. 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.539 Look back in history. 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.500 Two thousand years. 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:08.200 See the evidence. 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:10.400 Of the healed lepers. 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:12.440 Look at the eyewitness testimony. 00:22:12.840 --> 00:22:14.220 Of sight given to the blind. 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.700 Look at the lame who walk. 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:18.220 Look back in history. 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.980 And see the suffering of the son of man. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.440 That he is rejected. 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:25.279 And see his resurrection. 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.720 See the evidence that the king is here. 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:31.500 And so heed the warning that the king is returning. 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:35.039 The kingdom of God is here. 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.140 Trust the king. 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:39.840 Trust the king particularly. 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:42.980 When he tells you that the kingdom of God is coming. 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:46.180 But I think there is another reason. 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.940 Why the two are put together. 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.460 The kingdom of God is here. 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.980 Trust the king for mercy. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:54.860 The kingdom of God is coming. 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:56.000 Be ready for judgment. 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.000 Do you see that? 00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:00.039 The kingdom of God is here. 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:01.100 Trust the king for mercy. 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:03.539 The kingdom of God is coming. 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:04.460 Be ready for judgment. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:08.500 Because when the king came the first time around. 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:10.960 He didn't heal all the lepers in the world. 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:13.759 It's a massive mistake people make on that. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:19.600 He didn't heal every leper. 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:22.880 It's one of the things that fools people into thinking. 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:24.200 That maybe it hasn't come yet. 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.759 That is what confuses the rabbis. 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:28.420 They had such extraordinary promises. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.680 About the kingdom. 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:33.460 They just imagined that the world would be changed beyond recognition. 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:38.079 But in many ways the world after 33 AD when Jesus died. 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:39.119 And the world before. 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:41.740 Well looks much the same doesn't it? 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:45.099 The hospitals were still full of blind people. 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.000 There were lepers. 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.940 There were lame people. 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:48.140 There were still wars. 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:49.319 There was political oppression. 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:52.039 Still occupying forces in the Middle East. 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:54.420 And you would be tempted to think. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.480 Well nothing has changed. 00:23:57.899 --> 00:24:01.819 Because Jesus did not come the first time to sort everything out. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:07.079 Jesus came the first time to announce his salvation. 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.779 The day of mercy. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:13.180 And that is what this leper says to him. 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.980 Isn't it very importantly? 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:15.879 He says have mercy on me. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:17.720 And Jesus says your faith has saved you. 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:21.360 The kingdom of God has come. 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:23.339 So salvation is now available. 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:26.839 The king has died and risen again. 00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:31.460 And rescue is on offer to anyone who turns to him. 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.819 But the king is coming again. 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.160 And judgment will come. 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.740 The king is coming again. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.660 And it will be too late. 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.980 So we live in the middle don't we? 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:45.779 We live in the middle of the two comings. 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:50.180 When the answer to how's the kingdom of God has come. 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:52.680 It's not yes. 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.599 Or no. 00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:56.019 But other. 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.579 And a bit of both. 00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:01.639 And we should do the same this morning. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:03.079 As that one leper did. 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:04.619 The Samaritan. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:07.799 And we should fall on our face. 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:09.019 At Jesus' feet. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:11.259 And give him thanks. 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.899 And put our trust in him. 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:16.540 And we should not do what Lot's wife did. 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.860 We should not turn back. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:19.620 We should not take our eye off the ball. 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:21.320 And fall asleep on the job. 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:24.440 Jesus right in the middle of this passage. 00:25:24.540 --> 00:25:26.660 Gives a summary of what it means to be a disciple. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.800 Look at verse 33. 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:33.640 He says whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it. 00:25:34.040 --> 00:25:35.980 But whoever loses his life will keep it. 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:38.980 It's a summary of discipleship. 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:42.079 You give your life up. 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:44.440 For the sake of following me. 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:48.599 You hand over the reins of your life to me. 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.940 And when you do that. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.660 On the last day you will save it. 00:25:54.360 --> 00:25:56.759 How should we live between the two comings of Jesus? 00:25:56.759 --> 00:26:00.200 We should live as those who trust that the kingdom is here. 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:03.119 Salvation is here. 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:06.039 The king is worth following now. 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:09.119 Before the day when the king will come back. 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.180 Slower than anything. 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.420 It's 2,000 years. 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:21.079 And so many are drinking and marrying and giving in marriage. 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.839 And eating and drinking and buying and selling. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.299 And planting and buying and ironing. 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:26.220 And taking the kids to school. 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.399 And putting out the bins. 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.579 And doing the garden. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.440 And mowing the lawn. 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:32.000 And investing and planning their holiday. 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.819 And it catches them out. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:44.619 Because life between the two comings is a day when salvation is on offer. 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:51.619 But life after the second coming is too late. 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.480 Let's pray.